Blog changes

Thanks to everyone who followed Training Because I Can! over the last nine years. This blog started with Addison's Disease, hypothyroidism and a crazy idea of doing an Ironman distance triathlon. My life has changed and so has this blog. I am using this blog strictly for Addison's Support topics from here on out. I hope to continue providing people with hints for living life well with adrenal insufficiency.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Pine Creek Pass


The road and the Pallisades in the background.


My first run since Rocky Raccoon.  I've walked, elipticized and imagined that I was getting my heart rate up.  Today's run was great.  About 1,000 feet of elevation gain and 10 miles. I felt tired and uninspired to go outside and run in traffic but I did it anyway and am glad I did!  I got some new sneakers and they fit great and felt comfortable.  They are made with Gore-Tex so the slush that inevitably gets all over my feet didn't make my them wet and cold.  Yippie!


The top of the Pass, I went a couple of miles up and a couple down the other side.  Rinse, lather and repeat.



Hey!  This road is steep.



The rock on the left was loose and crumbling before my eyes.  I was a little nervous passing it.  Although the pieces were the size of a tennis ball and smaller, I wouldn't want to get beaned in the head by any rocks.


It's views like this that make running in the winter, in the slush and cold, on the side of a busy road, worth it.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Race photos

http://www.backprint.com/go.asp?48348194

Rocky Raccoon race report



A view of the trail from the levy



Finally, here's the race report.  Huntsville State Park is beautiful and Rocky Raccoon was well organized and supported.  Although I didn't do 100 miles, I did the most miles I've ever done, 57.  Later this season, I will complete 100 miles.  I know I'm capable.

Here are my observations about endurance running:  I love it, I need to eat more and better (I eat dairy free and gluten free making eating ANYTHING at the well stocked aid stations impossible), I need to train a little bit harder when I train, my training was adequate, I need to run more and faster in training, my recovery was excellent, I have to find some shoes that accommodate my feet that swell to ridiculous proportions after 30 or so miles, Drymax socks are the best, early season races are not my forte and Addison's did not affect my performance at all.  My med plan worked well but I needed slightly more hydrocortisone than I thought I might.  Having a cold days before the race stunk.  I'm finally getting over the cough 2 weeks later.  My husband was excellent support and I'm glad he was along.  

The rest of the race report is in pictures with brief captions.



Me, Lora and Willie at registration




Lora and Paul race morning at the hotel




Me, Lora and Willie, at the start and very nervous!




Lora and I at the start




The start line



The race begins at 6 am, warm weather, single track and lots of other runners.  Awesome!



Me at 40 miles.  I felt great until 35 miles.  




The Dam Road aid station.  Food, drink, music and very helpful volunteers.



The dammed lake at Huntsville State Park




This is where the alligators hide!




Lora finishes her first 50!  Well done Lora!




Sam Houston statue, it was huge.




RIP, my wonderful drop bag.  Easy for volunteers to spot, easy for me to spot.  Even the flight attendant recognized me on the way back from Houston because of my bag.  Now I need to find an equally excellent bag, this one blew out at the corners.  See the duct tape?



Swelled up eyes the day after the race.  Ugly.

Now I just have to attempt to avoid the inevitible post race migraine...